TPS-X-an automated graphical approach to TPS design

The authors describe an object-oriented graphical user interface TPS-X, which provides the test program set (TPS) designer with a development tool that is independent of the automated test equipment (ATE) and the programming language used by the ATE. The interface uses object-oriented symbols representing test objects and circuit topology to show the test strategy as opposed to using a specific language syntax. A TPS-X graphical test diagram and the resulting TPS may be transported from a software development system to and between various test stations. This method of TPS development also aids the TPS debug and maintenance effort by providing a simple visual description of the test strategy and a method of updating the description as opposed to studying source code to determine the strategy and where to make the necessary changes.<>